The LIVESTRONG Foundation Offering $1.2 Million in Funding to 72 Sites Across the Nation to Improve the Lives of People Affected by Cancer

Deadline for Hospitals, Cancer Centers and Non-Profits to Apply Is Feb. 8

AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwire - Jan 31, 2013) - The LIVESTRONG Foundation is offering $1.2 million in implementation awards to 72 sites across the nation as part of its 2013 Community Impact Project. The awards will fund the replication of four programs -- the Advanced Certification for Palliative Care, Camp Kesem, the Creative Center at University Settlement Artist-in-Residence Program and LIVESTRONG at the YMCA -- that have been selected for their proven ability to provide necessary programming and support to cancer survivors and their families both during and post treatment. The application process is now open and allows people to potentially fund up to four of these evidence-based programs within their community that would better the lives of those affected by cancer.

"These four programs have shown to be immensely successful in providing care, physical and emotional support and a sense of community to thousands of children, adults and families that have taken advantage of their free services," said LIVESTRONG Foundation Vice President of Programs, Kenya Johnson.

The Joint Commission's Advanced Certification for Palliative Care is designed to set standards and acknowledge hospitals providing state-of-the-art palliative care services that relieve symptoms and stress of serious illness and improve quality of life for patients. The Center to Advance Palliative Care will provide tools and training to 15 hospitals and cancer centers across the country to assist in their efforts to qualify for the certification.

Camp Kesem, a university-based summer camp program for kids with parents affected by cancer, has been selected once before in 2011 when 12 new camps were funded. It began at Stanford University and has since grown to 41 camps in 24 states that serve more than 2,000 children each year. With this year's grant, 12 more camp sites will be funded.

Since its inception in 1994, the Creative Center at University Settlement has been dedicated to bringing the arts to people with cancer and chronic illness through all stages of life as a way to help them discover their own creative resources while meeting the challenges of diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. The Artist-in-Residence program helps cancer survivors deal with the stresses of treatment through artistic expression. This year's grant will allow community-based organizations to fund outpatient art programs in partnership with their local hospital or cancer center. Including this year's grant, the LIVESTRONG Foundation has become the largest benefactor of visual arts in healthcare in the nation, spreading art programs to more than 40 cancer centers and hospitals since 2010.

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a research-based program that offers people affected by cancer a safe, supportive environment to participate in physical and social activities focused on strengthening the whole person. Participants work with Y staff trained in supportive cancer care to achieve their goals such as building muscle mass and strength; increasing flexibility and endurance; and improving confidence and self-esteem.

The deadline to apply for the Community Impact Project is Fri., Feb. 8 at 5pm CT. Accepted applicants then face the project's online voting campaign, March 12-28, which allows the public to determine where the money goes among eight U.S. regions. The awarded sites will be announced on April 15.

Organizations chosen to implement one of the model programs will receive up to $15,000 to support the implementation. They will also receive a toolkit consisting of facilitator manuals, participant materials and evaluation forms; training and support from the model program's staff; access to additional tools and resources; and a full report on the historical replication of this program upon completion.

The financial awards provided by the 2012 LIVESTRONG Community Impact Project are currently being implemented at nearly 100 sites including hospitals, cancer centers, universities, and community-based organizations across the nation and will provide support to thousands of people affected by cancer upon completion. The LIVESTRONG Foundation is committed to supporting community organizations in their efforts to help cancer survivors face the challenges and changes that come with cancer and has invested more than $80 million in community-centered organizations.

About the LIVESTRONG FoundationThe LIVESTRONG Foundation provides free cancer support services to help people cope with the financial, emotional and practical challenges that accompany the disease. Created in 1997 by cancer survivor and philanthropist Lance Armstrong, the Foundation is known for its powerful brand -- LIVESTRONG -- and for its advocacy on behalf of survivors and their families. With its iconic yellow LIVESTRONG wristband, the Foundation has become a symbol of hope and inspiration around the world. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than $500 million to support cancer survivors and served 2.5 million people affected by the disease. For more information, visit LIVESTRONG.org.